Stuff you do now instead of going to the pub

GRMA

The pub seems to be the centre of most peoples social lives.

Some of you might still go and have a mineral but I imagine some like myself give it a miss because the temptation is very strong.

When I was drinking I generally went to the pub, then a club, every Friday and Saturday at least - usually one night during the week too, depending on how much money I had might drink at home before hand/instead.

Since I stopped I've started doing other things to keep me busy. I've started going to the cinema, exercising, going to cultural things like museums, political things like debates, book launches etc. I read a lot more too.

What do you do during the time you used to be in the pub? (or hungover the morning after!)

Go to the gym, play football, go to the cinema, meet people for coffee or food, go to meetings and a load more. I generally did none of these when I stopped drinking because all I used to do was drink! Anything I did involved either drinking before, after or during but I knew I had to change when I gave up and life is so much better.

It's funny that some people that I'd bump into that know what I used to be like might say is my life not really boring now? When I've never been so busy and enjoying living life since I was a young teen. No my life isn't boring now that I am not drinking to oblivion and in turn wasting so many days being useless!

On the pub thing OP I generally only go if I have a reason to be there. IE someone's birthday, engagement, funeral or a big match I'd want to watch in an atmosphere. Even then I wouldn't be there long.

xzanti

Deleted User wrote: »

It's funny that some people that I'd bump into that know what I used to be like might say is my life not really boring now?

This is so annoying!! Some people just don't get it.. you can spell it out to them in neon lights that you're happy with your life and they'll still look at you like you have 50 heads.

Just let them off.. maybe someday they'll be lucky enough to snap out of it too

Sunnyisland

Since I stopped drinking my life has become more active in every direction,Family,relationships,work,health,fitness,I don't have enough time in the day to do everything,Its a great fulfilling feeling,I know its said many times but I do wish I had changed my drinking lifestyle much earlier.

Logical_Bear

I've found that i go to the gym and get out more.Im on the dole so my social life would be fairly limited anyway

reading loads and spending time with my son is an added plus.

Like a poster said above I'd go to the pub to watch a chelsea game,but would generally arrrive just before and leave nearly straight away when its finished.

Havent gone out into town but plan on doing it soon,need to chase girls.Just because Im off the drink doesnt mean I got neutered lol:D

Discostuy

I've all but quit drinking for good. The last year has seen a big change where I've drank about 5-6 times (as opposed to most weeks (and after my wedding next month I plan to knock it on the head for good)).

The biggest change I've found is the psychological reverse that -
drink + pub + hangover days eating crap in front of TV = fun and easy life
gym + exercise + healthy eating = boring, hard life

I now see that as the opposite where endless drinking and hangovers is the horrible hard work, but living clean and healthy is so much easier and more rewarding.

I joined a gym, bought a bike and changed my diet and have never felt better.
Most weekends i plan some sort of activity...cycling, hiking etc. and find that preoccupies my mind rather than drinking. Long cycles or the gym are much more rewarding when you're not hungover. The gains actually mean something instead of just "sweating the weekend out of you".

Trips to the cinema are a good way to fill a weekend night. I'd still get out and socialise when I can, but try and drive so i can leave when things get messy. Like wise, going to the pub to watch the match with the lads is still good crack, but its nice to be able to leave and do other things rather than be tied to the pub.

The clear head space of not drinking took me a while to get used to. I wasn't used to having so much natural energy and clear thinking. I just get much more normal life stuff done in an enjoyable manner now than with a hazy head.

Like Realies said, I dont have enough hours in the day most days now for all the extra hobbies and tasks I take on

(sorry for the huge waffle...)

KeefF

As i've just committed to giving up, it's good to hear that people have so many other things to do.
My "witching hour" is about 6/7 on a Sat evening so will look to go a meeting at that time - I know of one in town.

belcampprisoner

post on boards ie

Tom_Cruise

realies wrote: »

Since I stopped drinking my life has become more active in every direction,Family,relationships,work,health,fitness,I don't have enough time in the day to do everything,Its a great fulfilling feeling,I know its said many times but I do wish I had changed my drinking lifestyle much earlier.

I feel like this as well.

I still do drink on occasion, but i have cut down massively and have fallen back in love with sports and fitness in general.

If only i didn't allow drink to become such a big factor in my life then im sure i would have accomplished a lot more and generally been a happier person the last few years, but i think its something many people think (Im 26 and don't want my twenties to be a drunken haze!)

To answer the OP, i find sports and a willingness to try out new things really helps me. It can be hard to fill the time that was consumed by alcohol but with an open mind perseverance slowly activities will began to fill the void!

One more thing -the amount of energy i have when not drinking can be scary at times, compared to being hungover in a zombie like state in which i can barely drag myself out of the bed to even wash myself.

Good luck.

SolarFlash

GRMA wrote: »

Since I stopped I've started doing other things to keep me busy. I've started going to the cinema, exercising, going to cultural things like museums, political things like debates, book launches etc. I read a lot more too.

exactly the stuff the government does not want you doing and why they refuse to regulate alcohol.

Sunnyisland

SolarFlash wrote: »

exactly the stuff the government does not want you doing and why they refuse to regulate alcohol.

You reckon there keeping Ireland drunk so we don't understand whats going on :D

SolarFlash

realies wrote: »

You reckon there keeping Ireland drunk so we don't understand whats going on :D

yes I do. In the pub getting pissed, not organizing politically and upsetting the applecart is just how they like things.

Logical_Bear

of the drink 2 months and i still dont feel anymore political:pac:

xzanti

I can see your point SolarFlash.. I think being clear headed definitely makes us question and challenge our situations more..

Corkgirl210

try meetups.com - plenty of sober things to do on there..

I basically do more things .. follow hobbies that i always wanted to try but never had the time or inclination to do..

derry dirtfisher

i bought a metal detector and love getting out and about searching for bits and pieces.
im almost 17 years off the drink but im well aware that complacency is one of the addicts biggest enemies.
i know the laws down in the 26 are a bit twisted concerning metal detecting but as long as youre not looking for archaeological bit and pieces youre ok to work away.
its a very interesting hobby that has multiple benefits for anyone wanting to steer clear of an addiction
good luck

Lenmeister

Jeez a metal detector there's something ye rarely hear people using!

I, when I had money, went off for the weekend to different places around europe. People spend a silly amount on alcohol, I started using it to go traveling. I got to see so many places it was amazing.

Nowadays I'd go for a walk along the beach, or sit there and read for hours. I've the gym & sports, drawing, learning to play instruments, comedy shows, gigs, music festivals, God there's SO much to do. Such a pity all my friends would rather drink, they've no idea what they're missing out on! But sure each to their own. The only problem now really is everyone associates every single activity with alcohol. Must have alcohol with everything, rediculous. Can't have a good time without it!

Deleted User wrote: »

It's funny that some people that I'd bump into that know what I used to be like might say is my life not really boring now?

Yeah those people are so open minded, they just totally get it. Must be so exciting for those people to do the exact same thing every weekend.